Filing a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application
A variety of aid is available for all income levels. Whether or not you think you are eligible, we encourage you to apply for financial aid each year. Applying begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), and both applications are free.
The information provided on the FAFSA or CADAA is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
The important things to remember are:
- Applying early! Submit your application before the March 2 priority deadline each year for full aid consideration.
- Submitting your FAFSA or CADAA starting December for the upcoming academic year.
- "Prior-Prior Year" has students and their families use income and tax information from one year earlier than previously required. This means that 2022 data will be used in 2024-25.
- Include the UC Davis School Code: 001313.
- Immediately respond to any requests from UC Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships.
- Select the correct aid year on the FAFSA or CADAA when applying (i.e., 2023-24 for the current academic year, 2024-25 for fall 2023 admission).
- Keep copies of your tax returns and other documents in case they are needed.
- UC Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships will begin reviewing 2024-25 FAFSA and CADAA applications in early 2024.
- Reapply every year.
Application Tips
- File the FAFSA or CADAA each year by March 2 for priority consideration.
- Include UC Davis School Code 001313 on your application.
- All information is subject to verification according to state and federal regulations. False statements or misrepresentations may be cause for denial, reduction, cancellation, or repayment of financial aid.
- It is crucial to file the FAFSA or CADAA by the March 2 priority filing date. If you filed a 2022 tax return, use the information from your return to complete the application.
- For those who have not filed a tax return:
- If you did not and are not required to file a 2022 tax return, use your financial information such as 2022 W-2s or final pay stubs, and current bank statements.
- For those who have not filed a tax return:
- FAFSA provides a tool that allows you to directly access tax information from a secure IRS website. For more information, watch the IRS Data Retrieval Tool tutorial video.
What to Expect After You File Your Financial Aid Application
- If you filed a FAFSA you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor. To check the status of your application, visit studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa. If you do not receive an email confirmation, you may not have successfully completed the application. If you filed a CADAA, you will need to log in to dream.csac.ca.gov to view your SAR or to check the status of your application.
- The SAR provides you with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Financial Aid and Scholarships will use the EFC to determine the types of aid you may be eligible to receive.
- Submit corrections to your application online through studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa or dream.csac.ca.gov.
- Students with a valid SAR should log in to MyAwards to view their UC Davis aid package and requirements for the upcoming year during the following months. Information will be available in MyAwards by:
- School of Education:
- Teaching Credential - April
- Masters of Education - August
- CANDEL - August
- All Other Education Programs - June
- School of Veterinary Medicine:
- Years 1 and 4 - April
- Years 2 and 3 - July
- MPVM - July
- Graduate School of Management: August
- Graduate Studies: Late July
- UC Davis Extension: August
- School of Education:
Questions About Applying?
Federal Student Aid Information Center (for FAFSA)
1-800-4-FED-AID (433-3243)
studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
California Student Aid Commission Customer Relations (for California Dream Act Application)
1-888-224-7268
dream.csac.ca.gov
UC Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships
Contact Us: Graduate Financial Aid